Penn State Football: 5 reasons Nittany Lions upset Ohio State in Week 5

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: (L-R) Grant Haley #15, Nick Scott #4, head coach James Franklin, Marcus Allen #2 and Troy Apke #28 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walk out to field arm in arm before the start of the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

4. Nittany Lions’ run game

Penn State’s running game has been very impressive through the first four games of the season. They have 20 rushing touchdowns already this season, which is an average of five per game. Also, they are averaging 275 rushing yards per game.

The leader of the rushing attack has been Miles Sanders, who has 495 rushing yards this season and five touchdowns. Ricky Slade has played well as a backup, and K.J. Hamler has been very effective carrying the ball from the wide receiver position.

In comparison, Ohio State also has some very good running backs with J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber, but the majority of their touchdowns have come through the passing game and not the rushing game.

Also, Penn State’s running game is very effective with Trace McSorley running the read option. McSorley has 235 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns already this season on 41 carriers.

Ohio State starting quarterback Dwayne Haskins has only 10 carries for 28 yards and one touchdown. The running game for Penn State will make a major difference if it can stay effective against the best defense they have faced all season.

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